Mumbai Airport to suspend all flight operations for 6 hours today
Mumbai's international airport has halted all flights for six hours today as part of its annual post monsoon runway maintenance. The shutdown, in place from 11 AM to 5 PM, is intended to ensure safety and limit disruption during the busy travel season.
Mumbai: Mumbai’s Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport is set to shut down flight operations for six hours today as engineers begin the annual post-monsoon maintenance of the runways. The closure, which was announced yesterday, will be in effect from 11 AM to 5 PM and will temporarily halt both arrivals and departures at one of the world’s busiest single-runway airports.
The airport confirmed that the maintenance work is part of its yearly safety protocol, carried out once the monsoon season has fully receded. Operations teams said the schedule had been finalised well in advance to allow airlines to adjust their services and to minimise disruption for passengers travelling through Mumbai on what is otherwise a high traffic weekday.
In its official advisory, the airport stated: "As part of the annual post-monsoon maintenance, Mumbai Airport will remain temporarily non-operational on 20 November 2025 from 1100 hrs to 1700 hrs IST. This scheduled closure is essential to ensure continued safety, reliability and compliance with global aviation standards and to enable smooth and safe journeys for all. Thank you for your cooperation.”
Six hour window for post-monsoon runway inspection in Mumbai
Airport officials said specialised engineering and airside teams would use the six hour window to conduct a thorough inspection of the runway surface. This includes assessing both minor and major structural elements that are exposed to continuous wear due to high volume aircraft movements.
Mumbai Airport handles close to 900 flight movements per day and its airside operations cover over one thousand acres including runways, taxiways and parking bays. Officials noted that such periodic reviews are essential to maintaining global safety benchmarks and ensuring smooth operations throughout the busy winter travel season.
Airlines to scheduled operations accordingly
Airlines have already adjusted their schedules for the day and passengers have been urged to check with their respective carriers before heading to the airport. The management said the planned maintenance will help prevent unexpected disruptions in the months ahead and is a routine part of keeping the complex operational around the clock for the rest of the year.